These Will Be the Top Names for Baby Boys in 2018

It's not easy picking out a name for your baby. They're only stuck with it for the rest of their lives, so no pressure, right? If you need a little help, Redbook has combed through official Social Security Administration data, as well as baby name sites like BabyCenter, to determine which monikers are going to be huge for baby boys in 2018. (They're all great choices, but we understand if you want to avoid them because of their popularity, too. Whatever you do, just don't name your child after a fruit.)

Note: The Social Security Administration doesn’t release its annual list of top names until May, so we took a look at 2016 data and compared it to the names currently trending on Nameberry and BabyCenter.

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Liam

Liam has been the second-most popular baby boy name in the U.S. since 2014, according to Social Security Administration data. Could 2018 be the year the name finally reaches the No. 1 spot? Considering the number of beloved celebrities named Liam — including Neeson, Payne, and Hemsworth — there's a good chance.

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William

William has maintained its spot in the top 5 since 2009, according to SSA data, but in 2016 it jumped to No. 3. With all the attention being paid to the royals lately — Meghan and Harry's wedding is coming up, and Prince William is expecting his third child — William's star should continue to rise in 2018.

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Henry

Another name fit for a royal? Henry, Prince Harry's real name. Everyone's favorite groom-to-be, of course, is just the last in a long line of British rulers with the tag, starting with Henry I, who took the throne in 1100.

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Noah

Noah has claimed the coveted No. 1 spot for four years running. The Biblical name, which has Hebrew origins, means "wandering or rest." In recent years, Noah, and the alternative spelling, Noa, has begun crossing gender lines — most notably when Billy Ray Cyrus chose a name for Miley's little sister, Noah Lindsey.

Elijah is another popular name with a biblical background. The moniker is so beloved that it sat at No. 11 from 2013 to 2015 and moved up to No. 9 in 2016, according to SSA data. Elijah, the prophet who traveled to heaven in a chariot of fire in the Old Testament, is also hailed as a prophet in Judaism and Islam.

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Theodore

Nameberry predicts that presidential-inspired names will see a surge of popularity in 2018. The current president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, has even hopped on the trend — her 23-month-old son's name is Theodore.

If you're worried "Theodore" sounds too formal for an infant, don't forget that it gives you not just one, but two adorable nickname options: Teddy and Theo.

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Milo

This Is Us fans will immediately associate this adorable name with Milo Ventimiglia, the hit star of the NBC drama. Milo bounced up 40 spots to No. 248 in 2016 and will continue to creep up the charts, thanks in part to everybody's favorite primetime cry-fest, as well as the number of celebrities who have chosen it for their children. Liv Tyler, Craig Ferguson, and Alyssa Milano all have sons named Milo.

Logan, a popular unisex option, was stuck in the low 20s and teens from 2006 to 2016. But 2018 just might be the year that the name, which means "small hallow" in Scottish, breaks through: It currently rests at No. 3 on BabyCenter's charts for the top names of the year.

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Oliver

Oliver finally broke into the top 20 back in 2015, according to SSA data, and sits at BabyCenter's No. 4 spot of most popular names so far this year. In 2016, the moniker crept up to No. 12 in the U.S., but currently holds first place in England, Australia, and New Zealand.

Even though its more mature-sounding root, John, sat 10 spots higher at No. 28 in 2016, Jack — an English name — is on the rise. Nameberry predicts that the U.S. will soon take a cue from Scotland and Ireland, where Jack claims the top spot for baby boy names.

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Finn

Finn's popularity has slowly continued to rise after it entered the top 1000 in 2000. The Irish name, which means "fair," finally broke into the top 200 in 2016.

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Mason

Almost 19,000 babies were named Mason in 2011, making it the second most popular boy name of the year. Since then, it has managed to hold tight to its top 5 status. Mason's popularity saw a huge jump from No. 34 in 2009 to No. 12 in 2010. Kourtney Kardashian's son Mason was born in late December 2009, which suggests people really are Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

Lucas currently sits at No. 8 on BabyCenter's list of the most popular names of 2018. And according to SSA data, in 2016, the name reached No. 14 and its shortened nickname, Luke, sat at No. 29. Nameberry notes that Lucas is enjoying international success right now and was the most popular boy name in Sweden for 2017.

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James

Over the past two decades, James has held steady in the top 20, and doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. In 2016, it climbed to No. 5, according to SSA data. Of course, the name James has been popular for much longer than that, and is associated with biblical, royal, and presidential figures.

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Owen

Owen, which means "young warrior or well-born," finally entered the top 25 in 2016. But Nameberry predicts that Welsh names are going to be more popular than ever in 2018 thanks to shows like Game of Thrones and The Crown, which means Owen may rise few more spots this year.

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